WASHINGTON, DC - Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement after the Senate failed to advance the Defense Authorization bill containing a repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy:

“I am extremely disappointed that the Senate failed to move the Defense Authorization measure containing a repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ forward. Repealing this policy has broad support among the American people, and military leaders have made it clear that an orderly repeal that the military can implement is far preferable than having it overturned by a court case. It is past time that this discriminatory policy be repealed, and I will continue to fight for its repeal.”